Jain Stories 02

Author(s): Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj

Page 72

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JAINA STORIES
"Your Majesty Can there be any question or doubt about it? We are all happy because of thy favour. Can anybody shower happiness on others save the kalpa tree?"
The princess, however, disagreed again.
"You are all bars indulging in naked flattery. Acquisi tion of good and evil is the outcome of karma, beyond the capacity of human agency." Then, turning to the king, she said,
"Father, if you are the real determinant, why don't you make everybody equally happy? Some of your courtiers are more happy and others are less happy. This is the outcome of their respective karma. You are only an instrument in its operation. Speaking about myself, my birth in your royal household and the affluence I enjoy are all the outcome of inexorable karma"
The king's rage now reached the highest pitch. He burst out:
"Foolish girl! Who has taught you all this garulity? Meseems that in the garb of my daughter, you are a real enemy. You should know it for certain that it is my favourable glance that can make a poor man rich, and it is my angry glance that can ruin one for ever. If you agree with me, you will be married in some prosperous household ; otherwise, you will just be disposed of to some poor man."
"Father, you are mistaken. If I have not righteous karma to favour me, even the best of grooms chosen by you will turn pauper. But if my favourable karma be up, even a commoner may rise to the acme of prosperity, and acquire a kingdom Pride is the virus of worldly life. So, sire, get rid of it."
The king could no longer contain himself. At once he gave the following orders to his men :
"Go thee and bring forth one who may be the poorest, the meanest, the lowliest, and one in wretched health."
The princess sat calm. The king's men went to the central square and picked up a man who was gasping